AFL 2 years ago

Crows close in on new Jenkins deal

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 7: Josh Jenkins of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2016 AFL Round 07 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Adelaide Crows at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne on May 7, 2016. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Adelaide coach Don Pyke is confident the contract stand-off between the Crows and star AFL forward Josh Jenkins is nearing an end.

Jenkins has been in career-best form this year, leading Adelaide's goal kicking with 43 goals, and is seeking a long-term extension to his contract that expires at the end of the season.

The Crows initially baulked at offering the 27-year-old a four or five-year deal but with rival clubs circling - Brisbane are reported to the main suitor - the two parties are edging closer to an acceptable compromise.

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"I've spoken to Josh over the time that the negotiations have been going on ... all I can say is that Josh is keen to stay at the footy club and we're really keen to see Josh stay at the footy club," Pyke told the Nine Network's Footy Classified.

"He's made some great strides this year in his football and also his leadership and the role he's playing within the team.

"We're really confident in thinking that we'll get something sorted on that pretty soon.

"I don't know the exact details of it but when you have a player who wants to stay and you have a club who wants the player to stay it's just about negotiating the appropriate deal and hopefully we're close to doing that."

Adelaide can ill afford to lose another sought-after player after the likes of Patrick Dangerfield, Kurt Tippett, Jack Gunston, Nathan Bock and Phil Davis departed in recent years.